The RGPBALLS Metrology Lab: guarantee of accuracy and reliability

Categories
15/05/2025
In the production of precision balls, rollers and carrier balls, product accuracy and reliability are not an optional extra: every micron makes a difference. For this reason, a well-equipped metrology lab is essential to perform rigorous tests and accurate checks on the components produced. The use of incorrectly calibrated measuring instruments can generate rejects and increase production costs. Companies must therefore rely on certified laboratories that, through periodic checks and calibrations, can ensure accurate measurements that comply with standards.
metrology-lab-rgpballs

The importance of an in-house metrology laboratory

Industrial companies in any field, from industrial automation to the oil industry or shipbuilding, via cosmetics, food or automotive, need reliable measurements to meet high standards and compliance with international requirements.

The metrology lab guarantees a controlled environment, with high-precision instruments verifying the dimensional and physical characteristics of materials. Without a certified metrology lab, companies risk manufacturing rejects, penalties and operational shutdowns due to incorrect measurements.

Features of the RGPBALLS metrology lab

Having a state-of-the-art metrology lab like the one at RGPBALLS, equipped with precision instruments and equipment is essential for accurate measurement of the physical and dimensional properties of products and offers numerous benefits:

  • Reduced verification time, thanks to dimensional checks performed on-site.
  • Elimination of outsourcing costs, ensuring an optimised workflow.
  • Greater autonomy in quality control, without depending on external suppliers.
  • Constant monitoring of production, to ensure compliance from the earliest stages.

All tests and checks carried out in the RGPBALLS metrology lab

Nel Over time, even the most accurate instruments can undergo variations that compromise data reliability. Therefore, periodic calibration and control checks are essential to:

  • Correct any errors and restore accuracy
  • Avoid unnecessary scrap and material waste
  • Prevent penalties and production stoppages in the event of inspections

 

RGPBALLS performs dimensional checks in-house, reducing analysis time and ensuring maximum autonomy, with no need for external laboratories.

Tests for compliance with ISO 3290 standards include:

Diameter measurement

Diameter measurement ensures that all products meet the required dimensional tolerances. To do this, we use high-precision instruments, such as laser micrometers and digital probes, capable of detecting even the smallest deviations from design specifications.

Visual inspection

The visual inspection enables the detection of surface defects such as scratches, dents or imperfections that could compromise the performance of the component. This test is carried out by qualified personnel using microscopes and optical magnification systems.

Measurement of roundness

Perfect sphericity is essential to ensure the correct functioning of precision balls. We use the roundness meter, an instrument that can measure deviations from the ideal shape and ensure the highest quality components.

Material verification

Analysis of the material composition is essential to ensure the mechanical strength and durability of the component. This is why we carry out verification tests with portable XRF-200 analysers, which can accurately identify the chemical composition of materials.

Roughness measurement

Surface roughness directly affects the friction properties and wear of components. The test is performed with high-precision roughness gauges, which enable the level of surface finish to be measured accurately.

Weight and density check

Il proiettore di profili è uno strumento ottico di alta precisione che consente di ingrandire l’immagine del componente per analizzarne i dettagli geometrici e dimensionali. Questo test è essenziale per verificare la conformità alle tolleranze di progetto e garantire la qualità del prodotto finale.

Hardness measurement

Hardness is a key parameter for assessing the material’s resistance to wear and deformation. We carry out hardness tests with specific durometers, which are chosen according to the type of material to be analysed, to ensure that the required standards are met.

Profile projector

The profile projector is a high-precision optical instrument that allows the image of the component to be enlarged in order to analyse its geometric and dimensional details. This test is essential to verify compliance with design tolerances and ensure the quality of the final product.

RGPBALLS’ commitment to precision ball accuracy and reliability

With over 50 years of experience, RGPBALLS is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers and distributors of precision balls, rollers and carrier balls. Our in-house metrology lab performs advanced analyses to ensure the highest quality standards, including:

  • Microstructural analyses to check material quality and detect any defects.
  • Impurity and inclusion tests to assess surface degradation phenomena.

 

Thanks to these tests, RGPBALLS ensures precision, reliability and regulatory compliance, meeting the needs of highly demanding industries.

 

Want to know more about our metrology and quality control services?

CONTACT US

Related articles
All articles
iso-9001-2015
08/10/2025 UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 Standard: efficiency and effectiveness of company performance
Production efficiency, consistent quality and the ability to promptly respond to customer needs: these are the pillars upon which a company's credibility is based on nowadays. In this context, the UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 standard represents the international reference for implementing a Quality Management System (QMS) that is solid, traceable and oriented towards the continuous improvement of company performance. In sectors, such as manufacturing, but likewise in all industrial and regulated sectors, where efficiency and effectiveness, precision and reliability do not permit compromise, ISO 9001:2015 certification is the foundation of our manufacturing identity: because it does not merely describe what we do, but demonstrates how we do it, confirming our commitment to quality, transparency and sustainable competitiveness.
Insights
rohs-regulations-rgpballs
01/09/2025 RoHS regulations: substances of very high concern for electrical products
The RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) regulations are one of the European Union's key tools for promoting safer and more environmentally friendly industrial production. Today, ecological transition is a strategic priority, and the RoHS regulations help prevent the spread of toxic substances by promoting more responsible production solutions. For companies, this means not only complying with a regulatory obligation, but also taking advantage of a concrete opportunity to improve product quality and access regulated industrial sectors.
Insights
reach-regulation-rgpballs
27/08/2025 The REACH regulation for particularly hazardous substances
The modern industry can no longer ignore the impact of chemicals on the environment and human health. In an increasingly stringent regulatory landscape, the REACH regulation emerges as an essential tool to ensure safety, traceability and accountability throughout the supply chain. For technical and industrial companies, understanding the REACH regulation and its implications is not only about avoiding penalties or marketing blockages, but is a strategic lever to build credibility, anticipate risks and enhance products in line with customer and stakeholder expectations.
Insights
bearing-ball-maintenance
25/07/2025 How to ensure the durability of bearing balls with proper maintenance
Ball bearings are essential components in many industrial operations, from heavy machinery to engines and precision devices. Proper maintenance of bearing balls is essential to preserve their performance, reduce wear and optimise operational efficiency, avoiding sudden failures and malfunctions.
Insights
machinery-vibration-analysis
21/07/2025 Precision balls and vibration analysis: how to reduce noise in industrial machinery
The analysis of vibrations in industrial machinery, thanks in part to precision balls, helps to reduce unwanted oscillations, contributing to quieter, more efficient and more reliable functioning. But how does this phenomenon occur?
Insights
precision-tolerances-rgpballs
17/07/2025 What are precision tolerances and why are they crucial in the production of industrial balls
In industrial engineering and manufacturing, precision is not an option but an essential requirement. When manufacturing components such as precision balls, rollers and carrier balls, even a variation of a few micrometres can make a difference. This is why precision tolerances play a crucial role in determining the quality and performance of these products.
Insights
italyx-il-sole-24-ore-rgpballs
11/07/2025 RGPBALLS obtains ItalyX certification from Il Sole 24
RGPBALLS has officially become one of Italian excellence 's after being recognised with ItalyX certification from Il Sole 24 ORE: an accomplishment that rewards our constant commitment to quality, innovation and the enhancement of the most authentic Italian values. This achievement does not only celebrate our journey, but also strengthens RGPBALLS' competitive positioning on national and international markets, confirming us to be ambassadors of a unique style, consisting of creativity, attention to detail and a continuous search for excellence.
Insights
industrial-predictive-maintenance
20/06/2025 Predictive industrial maintenance: how to improve machinery performance with precision balls
Predictive industrial maintenance is an innovative solution for optimising the efficiency of production facilities. Based on the advanced analysis of real-time data, this methodology makes it possible to predict breakdowns, reduce downtime and improve company productivity. Predictive maintenance does not replace the preventive model, but complements and enhances it, resulting in a more targeted approach that is less prone to emergency interventions. The integration of IoT sensors, machine learning and artificial intelligence helps companies proactively monitor the wear and tear of critical components, while improving safety and reducing operating costs. One of the key, but often overlooked, elements in ensuring the proper functioning of machinery are precision balls, which are key components used in bearings, mechanical joints, linear guides and other industrial systems.
Insights
specimens-analysis-test-reports-rgpballs
06/06/2025 Producing specimens, analysis and test reports for RGPBALLS precision balls
Precision balls are essential components in many industries which directly influence the performance and reliability of end products. To ensure maximum precision, a rigorous testing process including specimen production, structural analysis and the issuing of test reports is therefore essential. These steps make it possible to identify any non-conformities, monitor batch quality and evaluate the effectiveness of heat treatments.
Insights
intelligence-artificial-industry
30/05/2025 What role does Artificial Intelligence (AI) play in the industrial production of precision balls?
In the quest for efficiency and innovation, Artificial Intelligence is redefining production processes in the industry, improving efficiency and quality. One area where AI is making a difference is in the production of precision balls, which are essential components for bearings, valves and transmission systems: thanks to advanced machine learning algorithms and neural networks, it is now possible to optimise the material selection, reduce scrap and improve dimensional tolerances with a precision that was unthinkable just a few years ago. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based systems analyse huge amounts of data from advanced sensors in real time, quickly detecting defects and adjusting production parameters. Let's take a detailed look at the pros and cons.
Insights • News
laboratory-metallographic-rgpballs
23/05/2025 The RGPBALLS Metallographic Lab: innovation and precision in materials
At the core of our mission is a constant commitment: to ensure that every product that leaves our hands is synonymous with excellence. At the RGPBALLS Metallographic Laboratory, quality is not just a goal, but a promise that is realised through rigorous analysis and state-of-the-art technology. Using state-of-the-art instrumentation and a team of highly qualified specialists, our laboratory performs sophisticated microstructural checks to assess the strength, purity and suitability of materials, with a special focus on precision balls. Each test is designed to improve component durability and performance, supporting companies in optimising their production processes.
Insights • News
industrial-productive-efficiency
20/05/2025 How precision balls help reduce efficiency losses in industrial machinery
Industrial production efficiency in machinery is key to optimising productivity, cutting costs and remaining competitive. An often underestimated but crucial element in improving machinery performance is precision balls. These technologically advanced elements help reduce friction, wear and energy waste, thereby optimising the operation of various equipment.
Insights • News